Brand, Virgil M., 1862-1926

American Numismatic Society

Description

Exist Dates xeac:life

Biographical or Historical Note

abstract

Coin collector Virgil M. Brand (1862-1926) was born in Chicago, where he eventually worked as a bookkeeper in his father’s
business, the Michael Brand Company Brewery.

Coin collector Virgil M. Brand (1862-1926) was born in Chicago, where he eventually worked as a bookkeeper in his father’s
business, the Michael Brand Company Brewery. In 1899, after the death of his father, Brand formed the Brand Brewing Company
with his two brothers, Horace L. Brand (1868-1962) and Armin W. Brand (d. 1946), and a cousin. He developed an interest in
coin collecting in 1889, eventually amassing one of the greatest private collections of all time. In 1907 he formed the Chicago
Coin Company, which was owned by Virgil and managed by Theophile Leon. The company closed in 1915, transferring its unsold
inventory to Brand. Brand also served as president of the Chicago Numismatic Society. Brand did not leave a will, and upon
his death his collection was inherited by his brothers, who began to sell off pieces during the 1930s. Tensions between the
brothers eventually had to be resolved in probate court, and in 1937 the Brand estate was divided between them. The brothers
continued to sell parts of the collection, but some coins were inherited by Armin’s daughter, Jane Brand Allen. Those coins
were sold in a series of auctions conducted by Sotheby’s, Bowers & Merena, and Sprink & Son during the 1980s.